ACTOR Hugh Bonneville is due to open this year’s Milland Rural Fair, which will celebrates its 20th birthday next weekend.

Mr Bonneville (pictured) played Lord Grantham in ITV’s award-winning Downton Abbey series which finished last year.

The 52-year-old actor, who recently finished performing An Enemy of the People at Chichester Festival Theatre, will declare the fair open officially at noon on Sunday, June 5, although the fair itself will get under way at 11am.

The rural fair has grown to become one of the major local events of the summer, attracting around 3,000 visitors in 2014 as well as a strong local following.

Over the years the fair has stuck to its rural approach, which is emphasised more than ever this year, reflecting the real countryside and country life as its programme combines some familiar events with a range of fascinating new items such as hands-on children’s activities and country stalls.

Central to the day is its programme in the main ring, which will include a wide variety of animals and demonstrations and, back by popular demand, the fun dog show.

The fair will also have an even bigger range of rural craft demonstrations, offering plenty of opportunities to find unique gifts which are not available in shops.

The fair is held at Milland recreation field, on Iping Road, and will be well signposted with ample free parking and a free park-and-ride scheme.

Tickets, costing £6 for adults, £3 for children and £16 for a family ticket for two adults and two children, are available from Milland Stores or The Rising Sun pub, from One Tree Books in Petersfield, Rogate Stores, and CJ Hampshire in Liphook.